Prime Volleyball League CEO Joy Bhattacharjya has assured that he will stand with the tournament players.

The Volleyball Federation of India recently stated that those players who have taken part in the PVL will not be considered for national selection for the Asian Games.

VFI said that the selection will be on the basis of Cuttack Senior Nationals, which recently clashed with PVL. In fact, PVL commenced on February 5 and VFI held the national selection camp from February 8, five months before the Asian Games, which didn’t make a lot of sense.

“The players knew the truth. Why to hold selection trials (the VFI stated that only those who played in the Cuttack Senior nationals which clashed with the PVL would be considered for selection) five months before the Asiad,” Bhattacharya questioned.

“The Cuttack Nationals are not a certified event. Even the certificates there won’t fetch any promotions for the players. Players should not be told lies. I am sure there will be more trials,” he said.

“And, we will challenge if the players (from the PVL) are not selected. Let those picked in the Nationals to play against the cream of PVL. India cannot afford to see the best of PVL players to sit and watch the Asian Games on tv,” Bhattacharjya said.

“We will take up the issue as and when it arises. We will stand by the PVL players,” he assured.

On the other hand, Joy was delighted with the success of PVL in its inaugural season. The final of the tourney was played between Ahmedabad Defenders and Kolkata Thunderbolts on Sunday at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad.

“I must thank the players for giving their hearts out. It has been a top-quality league with enthralling volleyball. It has been a long journey and now there is huge relief despite issues created by the Federation,” Bhattacharjya said.

“Volleyball is the winner and special thanks to all the teams’ owners for their special relationship with the PVL,” he said.